I engaged Dennis to work with me in designing my 6'x6'x7.5' voiceover studio in my garage about six years ago. The results were and are fantastic. I am in the studio every day doing voice recording for commercials, films, and audiobooks; the most demanding application because there is typically no music, just solo spoken word. The quadratic diffusion makes a huge difference in the natural openness of the room, so that it does not sound like just a well-isolated closet. His design/build philosophy makes a small room sound like a bigger room, allowing me to use many mic positions for different vocal effects without "getting caught," revealing the limitations of a small room. Engineers with whom I record via Source Connect have given me gratifying compliments on my acoustics. One in Burbank who also recorded Don LaFontaine in his personal studio told me my room sounded better. (I didn't sound better than Don, you understand...but the ROOM...). Dennis demystified the process and started with the fundamentals to determine what external noise we had to defend against to gain the best isolation possible, followed by a truly superior acoustic treatment inside that makes it a pleasure to work in every day. If the video is still on his site, you can see and hear my studio. His cost was very reasonable and his work allowed me to build my studio with confidence, and enjoy working in it every single day.
Hi. Thanks for your excellent videos! I record voiceovers out of my home studio setup in my tiny studio apartment in NYC. I'm dealing with the noise of running water coming in from pipes behind one of my walls (bordering my neighbor's bathroom), which is picked up by my mic. I'm considering adding a layer of Quietrock on top of that existing wall, to reduce this noise. Do you think that would make a significant difference, or should I be looking at a different solution?
Noise must be quantified and qualified through measurements. We need to understand the frequency and amplitude (strength) of the noise we are trying to mitigate. We can assist you with the measurement and design process. Send us your contact information to info@acousticfields.com
You'd need to open up the walls and soundproof them. Or buy a ready-made vocal booth like Whisper Room. Not the best, or cheapest, but in an apartment setting that's what's available.
@@KirkYardley I'd recommend a noise reduction over a noise gate. Noise reduction helps a lot with unwanted but consistent noises in the background if you can record a long enough sample of it isolated. I've used it to get rid of long droning machine noises often with success.
The prime number of diffuser that is specified is based upon the distance avaible from face of diffuser to room wall. As a general rule you want as broad a frequency range as space and distance will permit.
The more you treat the existing room problems, the lower your room noise floor goes. The lower your noise floor, the more you here. Fan noise can really jump out at you with a low noise floor.
@@tyremanguitars fair enough, I can’t see that being an enormous issue especially if the mic is not directed at the noise. I don’t see a solution other than distance or a second barrier though.
It’s always different the type of person that’s in my booth? I don’t understand why people are basing this off of who is going in my booth when I have 100s of different voices going into my booth.
I engaged Dennis to work with me in designing my 6'x6'x7.5' voiceover studio in my garage about six years ago. The results were and are fantastic. I am in the studio every day doing voice recording for commercials, films, and audiobooks; the most demanding application because there is typically no music, just solo spoken word. The quadratic diffusion makes a huge difference in the natural openness of the room, so that it does not sound like just a well-isolated closet. His design/build philosophy makes a small room sound like a bigger room, allowing me to use many mic positions for different vocal effects without "getting caught," revealing the limitations of a small room. Engineers with whom I record via Source Connect have given me gratifying compliments on my acoustics. One in Burbank who also recorded Don LaFontaine in his personal studio told me my room sounded better. (I didn't sound better than Don, you understand...but the ROOM...). Dennis demystified the process and started with the fundamentals to determine what external noise we had to defend against to gain the best isolation possible, followed by a truly superior acoustic treatment inside that makes it a pleasure to work in every day. If the video is still on his site, you can see and hear my studio. His cost was very reasonable and his work allowed me to build my studio with confidence, and enjoy working in it every single day.
Thank you for your update. Glad you are enjoying your room.
Always clear, great job!
Brilliant as always thanks Denis.
Glad you enjoyed it
Hi. Thanks for your excellent videos! I record voiceovers out of my home studio setup in my tiny studio apartment in NYC. I'm dealing with the noise of running water coming in from pipes behind one of my walls (bordering my neighbor's bathroom), which is picked up by my mic. I'm considering adding a layer of Quietrock on top of that existing wall, to reduce this noise. Do you think that would make a significant difference, or should I be looking at a different solution?
Noise must be quantified and qualified through measurements. We need to understand the frequency and amplitude (strength) of the noise we are trying to mitigate. We can assist you with the measurement and design process. Send us your contact information to info@acousticfields.com
You can also use noise gate plug ins which helps significantly, but it’s not a 100% cure
You'd need to open up the walls and soundproof them. Or buy a ready-made vocal booth like Whisper Room. Not the best, or cheapest, but in an apartment setting that's what's available.
@@KirkYardley I'd recommend a noise reduction over a noise gate. Noise reduction helps a lot with unwanted but consistent noises in the background if you can record a long enough sample of it isolated. I've used it to get rid of long droning machine noises often with success.
Do the diffusors have to be this large in a vocal room to get the same results?
The prime number of diffuser that is specified is based upon the distance avaible from face of diffuser to room wall. As a general rule you want as broad a frequency range as space and distance will permit.
Thank you very much for answering my questions!@@AcousticFields
Is room size less than 1500cu ft. Permissible for vocal room
What are the room dimensions?
I've gone to great lengths to minimise fan noise on my computer that's in the same room as the mic.
The more you treat the existing room problems, the lower your room noise floor goes. The lower your noise floor, the more you here. Fan noise can really jump out at you with a low noise floor.
That's why you should have a separate vocal booth from the control room..
Move it further away, or get a treated PC case.
@@determine8771 mine is treated, the ambient noise level is less than 10dB, about as quiet as it gets, the case is custom made.
@@tyremanguitars fair enough, I can’t see that being an enormous issue especially if the mic is not directed at the noise. I don’t see a solution other than distance or a second barrier though.
It’s always different the type of person that’s in my booth? I don’t understand why people are basing this off of who is going in my booth when I have 100s of different voices going into my booth.
What is your question. I do not undersatnd your comment.